Sage

Sharp flavored, sage herb or garden sage is one of the popular herbs known since ancient roman times. This legendary herb which hold numerous virtues has long been recognized as the guardian of herbs. It is being in usage in various traditional european and chinese medicines for its health promoting and disease preventing properties.

The common garden sage has tonic properties, as its aromatic odour and bitter taste indicate. It is often made into tea, and is tonic, astringent, and carminative; as a gargle with vinegar, or honey and alum, it is good for inaflamed throats, or relaxed uvula. It removes obstructions of the kidneys, and of the menstrual flux. Orpheus says, three spoonfuls of the juice of sage, taken fasting with a little honey, arrests spitting or vomiting of blood.

Sage has a long history of treating ailments of aging such as memory loss and alzheimeras disease. Researchers in iran have shown that extracts of salvia officinalis improve cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate alzheimeras disease, and may reduce agitation. And in 2003, researchers at northumbria university in the u.k. Found that healthy adults who had taken spanish sage oil had a higher word recall than the other participants.

Sage is also used for digestive problems, including loss of appetite, gas (flatulence), stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. It is also used for reducing overproduction of perspiration and saliva; and for depression, memory loss, and alzheimer's disease for centuries, sage has been used effectively for throat infections, oral abscesses, infected gums and mouth ulcers.

Herb sage is an evergreen perennial shrub commonly seen all over the mediterranean and south-eastern europe (balkan) regions. Botanically, it belongs to the family of lamiaceae, in the genus, salvia.a.

The sage plant flourishes well under sandy, alkaline soil, and adequate sunny conditions. It grows upto 75 cm height and feature woody, branching stems. Itspebble-like textured, aromatic leaves feature grey-green, soft surface with fine hair-like filaments growing on either sides. During summer, it bears violet-blue color bunches of flowers that attract bees.

Sage herb parts have many notable plant-derived chemical compounds, essential oils, minerals, vitamins that are known to have disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

The prime biologically active component of common sage appears to be its essential oil, which chiefly contain ketones; i plus-minus -thujone, and i-thujone. In addition, sage leaf contains numerous other compounds, including cineol, borneol, tannic acid; bitter substances like cornsole and cornsolic acid; fumaric, chlorogenic, caffeic and nicotinic acids; nicotinamide; flavones; flavone glycosides and estrogenic substances. Altogether, these compounds known to have counter-irritant, rubefacient, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties.

Thujone is gaba and serotonin (5-ht3) receptor antagonist. It improves mental concentration, attention-span and quickens the senses; hence sage infusion has long been recognized as "thinker's tea."

Three lobe sage (s. Triloba) composes flavone called salvigenin. Research studies found that vascular relaxant effect of salvigenin may offer protection from cardiovascular diseases.

This herb is exceptionally very rich source of several b-complex groups of vitamins, such as folic acid, thiamin, pyridoxine and riboflavin many times higher than the recommended daily levels.

The herb contains very good amounts of vitamin-a and beta-carotene levels. 100 g dry ground herb provides 5900 iu; about 196% of rda. Vitamin-a is a powerful natural antioxidant and is essential for night-vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin a known to help the body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Fresh sage leaves are a good source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-c; contain 32.4 or 54% of rda. Vitamin c helps in the synthesis of structural proteins like collagen. Its adequate levels in the body help maintain integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin-c helps protect from scurvy, develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.

Sage herb parts, whether fresh or dried, are rich sources of minerals like potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

The phenolic acids in sage are particularly potent against staphylococcus aureus. In vitro, sage oil has been shown to be effective against both escherichia coli and salmonella species, and against filamentous fungi and yeasts such as candida albicans. Sage also has an astringent action due to its relatively high tannin content and can be used in the treatment of infantile diarrhoea.

There are countless varieties of sage, of which the most common varieties grown for medicinal or culinary purposes include the following.

These pills are much recommended: take of spikenard, ginger, of each two drachms , of the seed of sage, eight drachms , of long pepper, twelve drachms , all being powdered, add as much juice of sage as may make them into pills, taking a drachm every morning fasting, and at night, drinking water after them. Mathiolus says, it is very good for pains in the head, coming of cold and rheumatic humours; for all pains in the joints, and for the falling sickness, lethargy, palsy, and is of much use for diseases of the chest or breast. The leaves of sage and nettles bruised together, and laid upon imposthumes behind the ears, cures them.

The juice of sage taken in warm water relieves hoarseness and cough. Sage taken with wormwood is good for the bloody-flux. And with other hot herbs, sage is boiled to bathe the body and legs in the summer time, especially to warm cold joints or sinews, troubled with cramp, and to strengthen the parts. The volatile oil is sometimes prescribed in doses of 1 or 2 drops. It is a useful ingredient in embrocatigns for rheumatism. An infusion is very cooling in fevers, a little lemon-juice being added. It cleanses and purifies the blood.

It is characterized by strongly aromatic leaves and mostly used in throat gargle infusions and perfumeries.

This is a large perennial shrub with lobed leaves.

Native to the mediterranean countries, it is mostly used for making sage tea.

The fresh leaves of this variety are used to add flavor to drinks and desserts.

This variety is native to mexico.

It is a large plant with blue flowers and is used as herbal panacea.

Sage tea can be used as a hair rinse to impart shine and luster to your locks.

You can prepare it by boiling 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves in a cup of water.

This sage herb tea benefits to ward off dandruff.

This herbal rinse can improve the quality of your hair and can revitalize dry and thinning hair.

This can be used daily for one week or once or twice a week to maintain hair shine and thickness.

Being an astringent, it reduces dandruff and prevents clogged hair follicles too.

Sage has been used since ancient times to combat hair loss and baldness.

Sage contains beta-sitosterol, a 5-alpha reductase compound which has been found to be effective in treating male pattern baldness.

It is advisable to mix 3 to 4 drops of sage essential oil with equal amounts of rosemary and peppermint essential oils and dilute in 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Massage your scalp with it twice a day.

Sage can also be used to darken and intensify hair color.

All you need to do is use it as a final rinse after shampooing.

An infusion of fresh sage leaves can darken grey hair as well as deepen the color of brown or black hair and impart shine to it.

According to research conducted by the university of vienna in austria, sage possesses amazing anti-inflammatory properties.

Sage tea is often used as a rinse or gargled for soothing inflammations.

Sage extracts, tincture and essential oil are easily available in medical stores. They are used in medicines meant for the treatment of mouth and throat inflammation.

This herb has been recommended for external use by the german commission for treating inflamed mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

A recent german study has indicated that taking either a dry leaf extract or an infusion of sage leaf can reduce sweating by as much as 50%.

It is a great deodorizer that dries perspiration and helps to eliminate body odor.

Sage can be used internally for the treatment of mild gastrointestinal problems and dyspepsia.

It is a great stimulant tonic which can treat debility of stomach and weakness of digestive system.

Sage tea or infusion is particularly effective in this regard.

Its carminative effect can remove symptoms of indigestion by stimulating upper digestive secretions, bile flow, intestinal mobility and pancreatic function.

Sage infusion has been found to be effective in the treatment of inflamed throat and tonsils as well as ulcerated throat.

For this purpose, you can boil a pinch of dried sage leaves in about 100 ml of water and infuse for 15 minutes.

Strain the concoction and sweeten it with some honey.

Using this as a gargle twice a day will provide relief.

This herb can play an important role in your oral routine.

It can be used as an effective mouthwash to treat gum disease, throat infections, and cankers.

If you are troubled by cankers, you can simply gargle strong sage tea or freeze it into ice cubes.

Pop one of these cubes in your mouth to soothe cankers.

The anti-spasmodic effect of sage reduces tension in smooth muscles and can be used for steam inhalation to prevent asthma attacks.

It is effective in removing mucous congestion in the airways as well as preventing secondary infections.

Several studies have proved that sage leaf extract has anti-hyperglycemic properties which lower blood glucose levels by blocking the release of stored glucose from the liver.

In simple words, it is effective in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in type 2 diabetics.

However, further research is needed to substantiate this claim.

Regular intake of sage can improve memory and information processing among people suffering from alzheimeras.

This may be because the essential oil from sage has been found to improve acetylcholinesterase (ach) levels in the brain.

This ach enzyme improves concentration and helps in the treatment of memory loss associated with alzheimeras.

This benefit can be attributed to the presence of astringent tannins in sage.

Its estrogenic effect has been found to be beneficial for women wishing to dry up their breast milk supply or relieve hot flushes during menopause.

However, there is lack of clinical data to substantiate this claim.

Sage infusion is often referred to as athinkeras teaa as it contains thujone which is gaba and serotonin (5-ht3) receptor antagonist.

Besides improving concentration and attention span, it helps to deal with grief and depression.

Three lobed sage contains a flavone called salvigenin.

Its vascular relaxant effect provides protection against cardiovascular diseases.

The antioxidants in sage reverse the signs of ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

These antioxidants provide protection against free radicals that damage skin cells, causing premature ageing of the skin.

This herb is loaded with calcium and vitamin a, which protect your skin against the assault of free radicals and aid in daily cell regeneration, minimizing and delaying the onset of facial wrinkles.

Age leaves, in general, are harvested just before flowering for culinary purposes. Discard tough stems and fibers before using in recipes. Wash in cold water to remove soil and sand. Gently pat dry using soft cloth. Sage herb is one of the common ingredients in greek, italian, and balkan cuisine.

Fresh leaves can be used in stuffing in season sausages, poultry and fish.

The herb is also used in many vegetable dishes, especially with beans.

It is also used as a garnish in herb salads.

Roast pork and mushrooms with sage, marjoram and celery leaves.

The essential oil obtained from sage has been found to have acetylcholinesterase (ach) enzyme inhibition activities. This help rise ach levels in the brain. Ach enzyme improves concentration and may play a role in the treatment for memory loss associated with the disease like alzheimer's.

Sage oil, distilled from the flowering tops, composes of volatile essential oil such as camphene, cineol, borneol, bornyl acetate and other esters. These compounds are known to have tonic, astringent, diaphoretic and stimulant properties.

Sage herb oil is also being used externally as a rubefacient to soothe painful ailments like muscle stiffness, rheumatism, and neuralgic conditions.

Further, its oil is used as blended massage-oil and in the aromatic therapy. It helps relieve nervousness, anxiety, headaches, stress, and fatigue.

*safety profile sage herb, when used in large amounts can cause nervous irritation, convulsions and death. Hence its use is prohibited in known epileptic conditions. The herb should not be used in pregnancy as chemical compounds like thujone in it may cause uterine stimulation resulting in abortion.

.